Turkey Trot!

With the holiday that involves giving thanks and stuffing yourself stupid coming up very soon, it might be a good idea to start the holiday off right by participating in a Turkey Trot. They're usually 5k races so anyone can join in the fun. There's one by my parents' house, so I am thinking of showing up. What better way to justify all that glorious food than to burn a few calories before hand? Plus there's always the free t-shirt!

I suggest checking out active.com as an easy way to find your nearest Turkey Trot. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Mislabeled Fish

Do you try to eat more fish to be healthy? Do you also try to buy sustainable fish so you're not contributing to over-fishing? Do you have an allergy to some types of fish? It turns out there's a lot of fraud in the seafood market, and if you do have an allergy you had better be really careful.

Consumer Reports says a significant portion of the fish we can buy in markets today is mislabeled or not fully labeled. I won't go into too many details, but this is pretty sad in a nation like the United States where we have government safeguards for this kind of stuff.

Been doing a lot of thinking...

I know I had been certain in the past about running the half marathon in March, but since I've been dealing with the new job I've had to reconsider. So here's the deal: if I can commit to training after work two days a week, a long run on Saturday and a recovery run on Sunday I can manage the 13.1 mile distance. I've done it before, and mentally I know my body can take it.

I've been rethinking nutrition as well. I think my problem last time with the issues after the long runs is all about electrolyte balance. I think if I took salt tablets before the runs, drank water during the run, then drank Accelorade during recovery after the run I'd do a lot better. I've learned a lot more about how to properly carb load and how to eat during the week.

Something else to consider is where to train. I learned the hard way that training on a totally flat surface is awesome - until you get to race day and realize that it's all hills. I really feel that the hills added 15-20 minutes to my time. No, I wasn't trying to beat some kind of time but I did notice the difference. So I will need to find some hills to train on and work them into the training program.

Part of me really wants to run this race again. Another part says sit your butt on the couch. What choice will I make? I have a self-imposed deadline of Thanksgiving. I need to choose by then so I can get back into the training mode necessary to start seriously training in January. I also need to pay for the registration.

This is definitely a moment where life seems to get in the way of our fitness goals, but regardless of committing to the half marathon I am aiming to start running regularly just to run. It's just easier for me to have a goal to work towards. Who knows? Maybe this time next year I'm debating whether or not to run the full marathon :)

Ever feel like no one understands?

We see and hear from trainers who look like they haven't had to struggle with losing weight. We read advice from folks who say that it's easy to lose weight if we just quit eating so much and exercise more. Everyone's struggle is a little different and unique while there are some unifying factors, but when you're trying to lose weight you probably feel as I sometimes do. I want advice that works for me or at least get advice from someone who understands how I feel.

Well, there's one guy who is trying to put himself in his clients' shoes. This trainer is deliberately putting weight on so he can try to lose it. He's understanding the addiction to processed foods and soda, knows what it feels like to find clothes don't fit regardless of the size, and how self esteem is so deeply tied to appearance. I say that while it's dangerous for him to put this kind weight (his blood pressure is quite high), I'm glad to see he's willing to take a second look at weight loss.

Woman gives birth shortly after running marathon

Did you hear about this? A woman completed the Chicago marathon very, very pregnant, and then gave birth shortly afterwards. I think that since her doctor gave her the go ahead and it appears that the baby was fine, it's pretty cool. I can't imagine being pregnant and running a marathon, but whatever :)